Mysticism and Logic: and Other Essays

"Scientific philosophy comes nearer to objectivity than any other human pursuit, and gives us, therefore, the closest constant and the most intimate relation with the outer world that it is possible to achieve.”

Ten essays by Nobel Prize winner Bertrand Russell.

Known widely as a political and social activist, Bertrand Russell was one of the most important philosophers of the 20th Century. Widely referenced, quoted and respected, Russell wrote on most areas of philosophy, but is arguably most revered for his advocacy of science and reason.

Mysticism and Logic showcases this depth and breadth of thought by bringing together a selection of his writing on various subjects. Bite size commentaries from one of humanities greatest thinkers, on subjects as diverse as religion and mathematics and, of course, mysticism and logic.

“Mysticism maintains that all evil is illusory, and sometimes maintains the same view as regards good, but more often holds that all Reality is good. Both views are to be found in Heraclitus: ‘Good and ill are one,’ he says, but again, ‘To God all things are fair and good and right, but men hold some things wrong and some right.’” — Bertrand Russell

I. Mysticism and Logic

II. The Place of Science in a Liberal Education

III. A Free Man's Worship

IV. The Study of Mathematics

V. Mathematics and the Metaphysicians

VI. On Scientific Method in Philosophy

VII. The Ultimate Constituents of Matter

VIII. The Relation of Sense-data to Physics

IX. On the Notion of Cause

X. Knowledge by Acquaintance and Knowledge by Description

Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970). Philosopher, mathematician, educational and sexual reformer, pacifist, prolific letter writer, author and columnist, Bertrand Russell was one of the most influential and widely known intellectual figures of the twentieth century. In 1950 he was awarded the Noble Prize for Literature in 1950 for his extensive contributions to world literature and for his "rationality and humanity, as a fearless champion of free speech and free thought in the West."